| Author | Message | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1343 Registered: 10-2003 |
So I'm trying to figure out where to go for vaca this year, and I'm stumped. The last several years I've gone to Atlantic Canada, either with family or by myself on the bike. This summer I've got three weeks, beginning June 15th, to go somewhere by myself. Here are the destinations I've been thinking about: Newfoundland/Labrador - I'd like to ride the mostly-gravel Trans-Labrador Highway, and visit friends in Newfoundland again, as well as relatives on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.. Alaska - I could do the 10,000 mile round trip in 3 weeks, visiting some friends in Anchorage, but it would require hundreds of miles per day every day (not that I think I'd mind that). Dawson, Yukon Territory, and Inuvik, Northwest Territory - I'd cross the Arctic Circle and have 24-hour daylight. Head East and putz around the Appalachians. Head West and putz around the Rockies. A buddy of mine might ride with me, but I really wouldn't mind going solo at all. Either would be great. Thoughts? Any of them in particular *speak* to you folks? I'd be happy to drop in on any willing Alembicians, if convenient... Thanks, John | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 658 Registered: 11-2004 |
How about combining the two and heading Northwest and cruising the Canadian Rockies? I did a long bike tour that started with a ferry ride from Vancouver to Prince Rupert and then a dizzying ride through the Rockies (Lake Louise, Banff, Kananaskis) and eventually down into Calgary. VERY tired legs when all was said and done. There are some 14,000 ft peaks to climb but it was SO worth it. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1344 Registered: 10-2003 |
Motorbike. I am less of a man than you and not ashamed to admit it! Seriously, I couldn't begin to do that, and my hat's off to anybody who really rides like that. :P John | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 659 Registered: 11-2004 |
John, I knew it was a motorbike- I always enjoy your bike touring posts (I always spend a few hours reading through your detailed threads that you link with all the pictures). I would still recommend the Canadian Rockies on your motorcycle if you get a chance. I've seen nearly all of North America as well as NZ and lots of Australia. Western Canada is about as pretty as it gets IMO. I'd imagine that at the end of a long day of riding you're probably as saddle weary as I was pedaling. The nice thing with pedaling is that you can just zone out- something that is probably not advisable on a motorcycle. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1346 Registered: 10-2003 |
I've toyed with the notion of riding until half of my vacation is spent, then turning around. Canadian Rockies are spectacular. If I/we head west, then we might just haul the bikes and take turns driving the truck to minimize the amount of time spent on the prairie just getting there.. John | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1903 Registered: 3-2004 |
John, there are lots of fuel and other logistic issues with a NW Canada/Alaska ride. I'm sure it makes for wonderful memories, especially on a KLR, but you have to be set up to carry extra fuel for some destinations. | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1921 Registered: 4-2004 |
ALASKA | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 428 Registered: 8-2005 |
Ship the bike over and tour the Scottish Highlands for a week. Then go to the "Lake district" in north England, then drive down to Devon and Cornwall for the last week. You'll be speechless. George | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1777 Registered: 2-2006 |
I second Alaska, but Bob's right about the fuel issue. George's suggestion is a good too. Olie | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1347 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Scottish Highlands is one of my dream rides, for certain. I visited there when I was a kid, and that's where my Mom's ancestors came from. The wallet won't let me do it yet though! The only two jaunts where I'd need to worry about carrying extra fuel are the Dawson City to Inuvik run and the Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay run. There is fuel available at either end of those, but I'd like to have enough to have the option of exploring at bit along the way. This is assuming I do the trip on the KLR, which has a big tank. Realistically, I can see doing the Inuvik run but not the Prudhoe Bay run... I guess I might be well-served by picking up an Alaska Milepost this weekend..  Thanks guys, keep 'em coming! John | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 510 Registered: 11-2005 |
John, I hear that the Dragon's Tail in the Appalachians is a riders dream. I have family from Florida that are suppose to come up this summer to ride it. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1356 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'd love to ride the dragon, but I'd probably ride it in the rain so there's not a brazillion sport bikes tempting Darwin (plus, I love riding in the rain). I will definitely give that one a spot on my list. Thanks! John | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1783 Registered: 2-2006 |
We're planning a ride to The Dragon's Tail this summer. O | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1358 Registered: 10-2003 |
On H-Ds? Have fun grinding those pegs! John | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1784 Registered: 2-2006 |
That's what those running boards are for! Ground them pretty good 2 years ago on Needles Highway in S. Dakota! Olie | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 512 Registered: 11-2005 |
If any of you cats roll through East Tennessee contact me ahead of time. I might be in town when you're here and if any of you are interested in flying in a hot air balloon my wife's cousins own a hot air balloon business.Let me know if you are interested and I'll get you contact info. so you can make your reservation. It's really something to see the Smokey Mtns. from a high altitude. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2233 Registered: 9-2003 |
All great rides...they're all on my "to do" list. Georgie's recommendation is right on, but be careful...many Brit's bin it in bonny Scotland as the roads are curvy, elevation and weather changes quickly, and they're not prepared for the multitudes of varied wildlife that invariably ends up in their paths. Forgive me, I read entirely too many Brit M/C rags (Bike, Two, Superbike, Fastbikes, etc.). I have done the Tail Of The Dragon (this past October on my new Duc Hypermotard S)...highly recommended. Many surrounding roads are as good or better than the dragon as well. Bring your Lipitor as the locals cook with lots of Love (and Lard!) LOL! A word of warning about the TOTD: ride your own ride and make sure your bike, gear and head are all together...lot's of people bin it there due to overenthusiasm and/or inexperience. Cheers, Kevin |
